Rafael Art Javier - Handbook of Adoption

To all those who gave me a better appreciation of the adoption experience in all its complexity. To my nephew, Bill (Sasha) Homolka, who made me an adopted uncle and to Jenna Stern, who not only enriched the life of her adopted mother (my neighbor and colleague), but mine as well. I also dedicate this book to my friend and colleague, Dale Hahn, whose willingness to share her personal journey of her adoption experience had a profound impact on me. Finally, I dedicate this book to all the members of the adoption triad.

Id like to dedicate this book and all of the work that went into it to my parents, Leon and Marianne Baden, my sister, Rebecca Baden-Eberwein, and my loving husband, Michael Glicksman. They are both the source of my strength and my inspiration for the work that I do in adoption.

To LeaAnn, the woman who, during the creation of this book, started out as my best friend and became my bride by the end. You were my strength and my sounding board throughout this entire process.

I would like to dedicate this book to my mother, Dr. Daria Rivero, who many years after her death continues to be my inspiration; to my husband, Willard; and my children, Tanya and Daniel, for their love and support in all my endeavors.

Copyright 2007 by Sage Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America.

Handbook of adoption : implications for researchers, practitioners, and families / edited by
Rafael A. Javier [et al.].
p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-4129-2750-1 or 978-1-4129-2750-5 (cloth)
ISBN 1-4129-2751-X or 978-1-4129-2751-2 (pbk.)
1. Adoption. 2. AdoptionResearch. I. Javier, Rafael Art.

HV875.J38 2007
362.734dc22 2006025203

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

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W riting a book of this nature always entails working with a variety of individuals whose contributions to the final product are unmistakably evident throughout the process in various ways; it involves establishing a common vision and making necessary compromises to ensure the timely completion of the book, without compromising in quality and depth. It also involves from the very beginning a clear recognition that the task could not be accomplished without the active participation of each of those who contributed to the book. For it was not only the creative process involved in writing this book that was crucial in its creation but the establishment of the necessary working relationships with a group of already accomplished colleagues who shared a great deal of passion for the subject matter that we all decided to tackle as editors and contributors to the book. Indeed, each editor and contributor brought to bear his or her expertise and passion to ensure, at the end, not only that the book was high in caliber of contents and comprehensiveness but also that it reflected the excitement and dynamism that guided us as we prepared it. So, the first thanks go to my esteemed colleague Amanda Baden for her hard work and leadership and to Frank Biafora and Alina Camacho-Gingerich for the many rich discussions, the gives-and-takes, and the long and arduous hours we spent together. Thank you for a job well done and for the great deal of respect and appreciation for one anothers contributions you exhibited throughout the process. Thank you for making the preparation of this comprehensive handbook of adoption such a wonderful and rewarding journey. It is certainly a testimony of your commitment to making adoption an important topic of discussion for academics, professionals and members of the triad. Thank you also to all the contributors for your dedication and for working so closely with us in meeting deadlines, your timely responses to our many suggestions for corrections to your manuscripts, and so on. You certainly made the book possible. THANK YOU!

We also extend our great appreciation to Cathy Lancellotti, who provided important assistance in the initial stage of the books preparation, and to Margaret Cashin for her willingness to gather important data that were incorporated in some of the chapters of the book and her consistent and appreciated support throughout the process. The assistance provided by Louis Mora, Jennifer Salhanny, and Lorie Blas, students at St. Johns University, is also recognized. They worked behind the scenes, doing the necessary research and preparing the bibliography.